Encouraged by the example of Margaret Preston (who gave her the wood to work with) Thea Proctor made her first woodcuts in 1925, later stating that they were made mainly for children’s nurseries. This medium suited her interest incolour and design.

After her return from London in 1921, Proctor epitomised ‘the modern’ in 1920s Sydney. Her work effortlessly spanned the worlds of art exhibitions, design and décor, and she was involved in the establishment of the Contemporary Group in Sydney, which encouraged young avant-garde artists.